LOCAL AND INDIGENOUS ART MATERIALS

Contemporary Arts Anything indigenous naturally comes from the

ND
(2 QUARTER) place or locality. It is not introduced to the
place or imported from somewhere else.
LOCAL MATERIAL USED IN
Whereas, local materials are anything that
CREATING ARTS could have been introduced to the place or
An artist has to conceptualize the artwork locality by colonists or settlers form the other
that he or she will create. The choice of art places.
materials is dependent on the art form that will
be created. INDIGENOUS ART MATERIALS
After conceptualization, the process of - Materials that are natural or inherent from
selecting and acquiring the arts materials in the place or locality.
mind is considered a crucial step in creating a - It has been there right from the start.
work of art. - All indigenous art materials are local
The artist bears in mind that the materials but not all local art materials
conceived artwork will be created from choice are indigenous.
materials deemed appropriate for the art form. LOCAL ART MATERIALS
The appropriateness of an art material - Could be a mix of indigenous art materials
has a telling effect in the process of creating art. and introduced art materials.
When the chosen art materials are suited for the
artwork, it will adequately serve its purpose of
creating art. Having the right and appropriate art
KINDS OF LOCAL MATERIALS
materials can bring out the best of the artist’s
creativity.  The use of local art materials in creating
various types of art has become the
Art materials abound everywhere. It is up
showcase of Filipino creativity,
to the resourcefulness and creativity of the artist
resourcefulness, and artistry.
to come up with an artwork from seemingly
unusable and ineffectual objects and things. In
the eyes of a discerning artist, every object and
1. ABACA
- Also called manila hemp, extracted from
thing can be used for art.
the leaf sheath around the trunk of the
The choice of art materials is a vital part abaca plant known scientifically as Musa
of the artist’s approach to his or her work and it textilis which is related to the banana
is important to pick the right kind of materials. plant.
As a new or budding student-artist, any
- Initially used as material for rope, the abaca
artwork that you will be creating is considered
found its way in the arts.
as contemporary art that is an original concept, it
should be conceived by the artist him or herself.
- The plant can be found in plantations in the
Call it reproduction or personal rendition,
Bicol Region and different regions of
copying somebody else’s work is short for
Mindanao.
making some kind of artistic plagiarism. It is
supplicating an original artwork with or
without insignificant changes.
 - Cleaned and processed capiz shells are used
for various artistic applications like
windows, lanterns, and walling.

2. COCONUT SHELLS OR BAO

- Used for wood
carving, improvised
cooking utensils
and myriads of
other uses. 5. RATTAN
- Naturally renewable palm belonging to the
- Laminated coconut shells are subfamily Calamoideae of climbing palms.
considered as almost the same as the
quality and appearance of turquoise shells - It is widely used as a furniture, handicrafts,
or ivory. and building material. It is grown in
plantations in Western Visayas and
- Coconut shells are bountiful anywhere Mindanao.
in the country where coconut palm trees,
scientifically known as Cocos nucifera,
are planted. These shells are by
products of coconut fruit processing.
6. SMALL OR COWRIE
SHELLS OR SIGAY
3. BAMBOO or KAWAYAN - Scientifically name Cypraea chinensi,
- Mistakenly identified as a tree, measure about 2 centimeters each.
is actually a kind of grass.
- They are often used in
- Classified scientifically as a plant shell jewelry and shell
of the subfamily Bambusoideae craft work. They are
of the grass family Poacae. popular for their
vibrant color.
- It is found almost throughout the - They are found on sandy
archipelago. The bamboo stem has seafloor around in the
plenty of uses and one of its Philippine Islands.
prominent uses is in creating art.
7. JUNK
- Old or discarded article, are considered
4. CAPIZ or KAPIS SHELLS useless or of little value but for the creative
- Come from the windowpane oyster, a eyes of an artist they are essential in creating
bivalve marine mollusk in the family of a well-known art form called junk-art.
Palcunidae.
- The discarded materials stores or hidden
- Abundant in the Philippines, commonly away inside homes or thrown in garbage bins
found along the coastal waters. are usually made up of plastic, wood, and
metal.
8. DRIED LEAVES Local art materials can be classified as
- …falling off from traditional and non-traditional.
branches of trees
and plants are 1. Traditional art materials available
inexhaustible. locally are those that are usually bought
from department stores and bookstores.
- Ranging from pale yellow to dark brown, They include crayons, watercolor, colored
dried leaves are plentiful throughout the pencils and other usual materials used in
year. school.

- Dried leaves art is already considered a craft 2. Non-traditional art materials are
of its own. Palm, pandanus, or sea grass materials that are not usually used in
leaves are used to create artistic mats of creating art like coffee, plastic bottles and
banig. recyclable materials that are similar to
those used in junk art.

9. PLANT SEEDS
- Can be acquired from
farms and rural areas.

- Others can be bought

commercially like corn, sorghum,
mung beans, sunflower,
and the like.

- Seed art can be found in certain localities.

They are distinct for their creative and
colorful designs.

10. ROCKS AND SAND

- …of various types are abundant.
- They vary in size and color, allowing for
varied art forms.